Visualizing movement (multiple variables)

[NewbieNick]

I'm simulating how an aeroplane behaves in 2D-space and want to visualize its movement.

I can determine height, speed and pitch depending on different factors (thrust, flight path, wind etc.) at every single moment of the simulated flight and was wondering if there is any simple way to animate the plane’s movement in LabVIEW.

Thanks,

Nick

[falkpl]

If you are visualizing 2 d motion i would use an XY plot, Pass the array of XY (long, lat values) this will show the path (the time is just the order of the path so is evenly time sampled velocity can be deduced from the vector segment lengths), this is the same for a picture plot but you would have to sso some scaling math.  There is also 3d plots if you have a Long, Lat, Altitude triplet.  Labview 8.6 and 2009 have some very nice 3d plots (some new to 2009).

[NewbieNick]

Perhaps I didn't clarify what I'm trying to do.

I already have a few XY-Plots that show the path, speed, angle of attack etc.

I was wondering if I can take that data and put it into one single 2D-Element (picture of a plane), whose speed, height and angle of attack change so the user can identify what actually happens to the aeroplane in different conditions.

Thanks

[pete_sch]

Hey Nick,

please let me ask one more question to understand what you want to do:

Am i right in assuming that you want to move a picture which is placed on the frontpanel depending on a change of different values?

Kind Regards,

Peter

[NewbieNick]

Hi Pete,

What I'd like to have is a simple coordinate system - the x-axis would be the time, the y-axis - the current height, in which I could move the picture of the plane. The only trouble is that I would also like to assign two other parameters to each x-value - the pitch of the aircraft and its speed. I Imagine that changing the pitch of the plane (by rotating the picture) wouldn't be such an issue, but I don't know if you can change the speed at which that picture would move.

Hope that made it clear enough

Thanks for your help!

Nick

[pete_sch]

Hi Nick,

you could use a property node:

Right click on your decoration or picture indicator (which contains your airplane) then select 

Create » Property Node » Position » Left

A property node will be created. Enlarge the node and you will see a secon property called "Top"

These two properties represent the position of your image on the frontpanel.

If you change them to write (Right click on on the property you want to change » "Change to write")

you're able to set the postion. 

The "Speed"  of your plane is the alteration rate of your Left position.

Kind Regards,

Peter